Flying SquirrelCommunity Space

285 Clarissa St.RochesterNY,
14608

585-205-8778

FlyingSquirrel@rocus.org

Who we are

The Flying Squirrel is a welcoming space for artists, activists, and
community members in Rochester. We aim to cultivate and sustain long
lasting relationships so we can work together to create positive social
change.

Our plan is to demo the walls and ceiling, add a plastic barrier so that the wall isn't porous, put up new dry wall and lighting fixtures, and strip the stairs of the old non-slip surface and replace it. The possibility of adding a chair lift for people with disabilities is also a serious consideration! We cannot do this work on our own though. We need your support.

We were granted 501(c)3 status by the federal government meaning your donations are tax exempt. We were also granted property tax exemption this year. These designations will make sure that your donations go directly into the upgrades we're proposing.

For 2019, we are ending our “Monday Mayhem” series and starting a new programming schedule that will focus on a theme for two months with accompanying events. Those themes might include: sexism, education, the environment, prison abolition, open source media, health care/mental health, housing/homelessness/redlining/gentrification, women’s issues (childcare, reproductive rights, contraception), racism/white supremacy, gender/sexuality, youth issues, intersectionality, and police accountability.

In addition we are developing an Activism 101 curriculum for 2019. This will entail one workshop a month that focuses on practical issues such as: basic first aid, how to use social media, copwatch/movement media, know your rights, radical art, conflict resolution, and direct action/civil disobedience.

More information will be coming so please stay tuned!

The Flying Squirrel Community Space exists to provide a welcoming space that will cultivate and sustain long lasting relationships between activists, artists, and community members in Rochester so that we may work together to create positive social change.

Your contribution will make an impact, whether you donate $5 or $500, one time or even monthly! That's right! You can become a monthly sustainer! Contact us for details. Every little bit helps. Thank you for your support.

-The Flying Squirrel Collective

PS. We know at the Squirrel that there is distrust (to say the least) of the state, capitalism, and technological money sharing services. If you want to donate to the fundraiser but don't want to do it online, checks or money orders can mailed directly to the Flying Squirrel. Make them out to “Flying Squirrel Community Space" and in the memo put "fall fundraiser.” Send them to Flying Squirrel Community Space, 285 Clarissa St., Rochester, NY 14608. And thank you so much. We will say your name and share the love and appreciation.

11/4: Flying Squirrel Brunch Fundraiser!!!

Once again, the Flying Squirrel Community Space brings you a delicious brunch and community gathering on daylight savings time. Come bask in the goodness and support an important community resource at the same time!

As always we will be serving all your favorites including tofu scramble, pancakes, eggs, orange juice, home fries, coffee and other delicious favorites.

This forum will provide the community with information about the proposed Police Accountability Board, an update on its status, and next steps to get involved. There will be time for Q&A.

The proposed Police Accountability Board requires 5 pillars:

an independent agency of city government, separate from RPD

independent investigative authority

subpoena power

disciplinary power using a disciplinary matrix

power to assess RPD policies and procedures and make recommendations

The Police Accountability Board Alliance is also recommending that the proposed PAB be given adequate resources. The ordinance calls on Rochester City Council to approve a budget at the equivalency of 1% of the RPD budget. That's about $1 million dollars. The RPD budget hovers around $100 million.

The collective is currently seeking new members. If you are interested, please come to tonight's meeting! It's at 7:00pm, 285 Clarissa St.

Please note that our general meetings have been moved to the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at 7:00pm. Monday Mayhems will continue to occur on the 1st Monday of the month starting in October for the foreseeable future.

And PLEASE mark your calendars for our 2018 Annual Meeting (and potluck) on Sunday, October 28. Time is TBA. But the location appears to be the Flying Squirrel located at 285 Clarissa St.

What is the Flying Squirrel Community Space?Our mission reads: “The Flying Squirrel Community Space exists to provide a welcoming space that cultivates and sustains long lasting relationships between artists, activists, and community members in Rochester so that we may work together to create positive social change.”

To become a member of the Flying Squirrel, there is a small work requirement per month as well as your agreement with our Principles of Unity:

The Flying Squirrel Community Space exists because we believe that building community is an integral part of liberation. We aim to create a dynamic, artistic, free, cross-cultural space where people can come together to share resources and knowledge in order to better support one another in struggle. We want to provide a concrete example of what liberation could look like, and we plan to have fun doing it.

The Flying Squirrel Community Space opposes racism, sexism, heterosexism, and classism, along with all other oppressions, and we will actively struggle against them. These oppressions are built into the fabric of our society, and therefore, we recognize that all people have a great deal of learning and unlearning to do. We welcome people wherever they are at; at the same time, we will hold one another accountable for fighting these oppressions — both institutionally and individually.

We oppose capitalism and seek alternatives to it. By “capitalism”, we mean an economic system where those with the most wealth and resources have the most control and power over our communities and our lives. We support people owning the houses they live in, workers controlling their workplaces, and everyone having access to food, affordable housing, quality education, health care, and other basic needs.

The Flying Squirrel Community Space uses consensus process to make our decisions. Consensus process is a tool that helps empower all members to shape group decisions. Consensus aims to create a non-hierarchical, anti-authoritarian, cooperative group structure that decentralizes power and encourages collective participation and responsibility.

The Flying Squirrel Community Space is committed to caring for one another and our respective communities. We will promote the sharing of resources including knowledge, skills, and equipment.

The Flying Squirrel Community Space advocates creative, community-driven solutions to conflict. We will work to create alternatives to the prison industrial complex[1]. Whenever possible, the Flying Squirrel Community Space will use alternative justice solutions rather than relying on the police. Underlying this stance is our belief that communities are empowered when they are able to deal with their own conflicts.

Footnotes

[1] “The United States uses prisons and policing as a failed “solution" to social, political and economic problems. We call this system the "prison industrial complex,” or PIC. As a result our communities are being destroyed. The PIC depends upon the oppressive systems of racism, classism, sexism, and homophobia. It includes human rights violations, the death penalty, industry and labor issues, policing, courts, media, community powerlessness, the imprisonment of political prisoners, and the elimination of dissent. ” - Critical Resistance

Please consider joining the collective and coming to our general meeting tonight!